Input apparatus

ABSTRACT

An input apparatus includes a reflection layer, a light guide plate, a first light source, a second light source and a light absorption member. The light guide plate is disposed on the reflection layer and includes a first light guide region and a second light guide region connected with each other by a junction, a first area of the first light guide region is different from a second area of the second light guide region. The first light source corresponds to the first light guide region. The second light source corresponds to the second light guide region, the light guide plate has a first opening structure disposed between the first light source and the second light source. The light absorption member is disposed at a position corresponding to the first opening structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of and claims thepriority benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/167,045, filed on Feb.3, 2021, now allowed. The prior U.S. application Ser. No. 17/167,045 isa continuation-in-part application of and claims the priority benefit ofU.S. application Ser. No. 16/524,187, filed on Jul. 29, 2019, nowpatented. The prior U.S. application Ser. No. 16/524,187 claims thepriority benefits of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/712,993,filed on Aug. 1, 2018, and China application serial no. 201811493155.8,filed on Dec. 7, 2018. The entirety of each of the above-mentionedpatent applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein and madea part of this specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a backlight module and an inputapparatus, and in particular, to a backlight module with a single-sheetlight guide plate and an input apparatus using the foregoing light guideplate.

2. Description of Related Art

Light guide plates currently applied to keyboard modules may beclassified into multi-sheet assembled light guide plates andsingle-sheet light guide plate. The multi-sheet assembled light guideplates have an advantage of preventing a light mixing phenomenonoccurring in two neighboring regions with different colors. However, thedisadvantages are that assembling of the multi-sheet assembled lightguide plates is relatively difficult and costs are high. Thesingle-sheet light guide plate does not need to be assembled, but adisadvantage is that no divided regions are disposed thereon, andtherefore light in two neighboring regions with different colors islikely to be mixed. Therefore, how to make a light guide plate have anadvantage that light exists in different regions with different colorsat low costs already becomes one of important subjects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a backlight module having a light guideplate with a single-sheet structure, to achieve an effect that thedivided regions are achieved by disposing a plurality of openingstructures.

The present invention further provides an input apparatus, including theforegoing light guide plate, so as to avoid a light mixing phenomenonoccurring in two neighboring light guide regions.

The present invention provides a backlight module, includes a reflectionlayer, a light guide plate and a mask layer. The light guide plate isdisposed on the reflection layer and includes a light guide body, afirst opening structure and a second opening structure. The firstopening structure passes through the light guide body and including afirst closed end, wherein the first closed end has two first branches.The second opening structure passes through the light guide body andincludes a second closed end, wherein the first closed end and thesecond closed end face each other, at least one of the two firstbranches of the first closed end partially overlaps the second closedend along a first axis, the two first branches of the first closed endare located on two sides of the second closed end along a second axis,and the first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis.The light guide plate is disposed between the reflection layer and themask layer.

The present invention provides an input apparatus, includes a keycaplayer, a light guide plate and a light source. The light guide plate isdisposed below the keycap layer and includes a light guide body, a firstopening structure and a second opening structure. The light guide bodyincludes two light guide regions. The first opening structure passesthrough the light guide body and includes a first closed end. The secondopening structure passes through the light guide body and includes asecond closed end, wherein the first opening structure and the secondopening structure are disposed between the two light guide regions andspaced apart from each other corresponding to positions between twoadjacent keycaps of the keycap layer, the first closed end and thesecond closed end face each other, the first closed end partiallyoverlaps the second closed end along a first axis, the first closed endand the second closed end are disposed along a second axis, and thefirst axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis. The lightsource is disposed beside a side of the light guide plate.

The present invention provides an input apparatus, including a keycaplayer, a reflection layer and a light guide plate. The reflection layeris disposed below the keycap layer. The light guide plate is disposedbetween the keycap layer and the reflection layer, wherein the lightguide plate includes a first light guide region, a second light guideregion, a first opening structure and a second opening structure. Thesecond light guide region is partially connected with the first lightguide region. The first opening structure is disposed between the firstlight guide region and the second light guide region, and includes afirst extending portion and a first closed end connected to the firstextending portion. The second opening structure is disposed between thefirst light guide region and the second light guide region, andcomprising a second extending portion and a second closed end connectedto the second extending portion, wherein the first closed end facing thesecond closed end extends toward the second extending portion.

Based on the foregoing descriptions, the light guide plate of thebacklight module in the present invention is a single-sheet light guideplate and achieves, by disposing a plurality of opening structures, aneffect that regions are divided into. In addition, the openingstructures in the present invention include closed ends such that thelight is refracted and reflected thereby. Therefore, when the light inthe light guide plate of the input apparatus in the present invention isincident to the closed ends of the opening structures, the light isreflected or totally reflected by the closed ends of the openingstructures, and so that light is not mixed in neighboring light guideregions, and the neighboring light guide regions can be performed indifferent colors.

To make the aforementioned and other objectives and advantages of thepresent invention comprehensible, embodiments accompanied with figuresare described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Accompany drawings are included to further understand the presentinvention, and the accompanying drawings are incorporated and constitutea part of this specification. The accompanying drawings describeembodiments of the present invention, and are used to explain theprinciple of the present invention together with descriptions.

FIG. 1A is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of an input apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a schematic three-dimensional exploded view of the inputapparatus in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a schematic top view of a light guide plate of the inputapparatus in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2B is a schematic top view of a light guide plate according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2C is a schematic top view of a light guide plate according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2D is a schematic top view of a light guide plate according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2E is a schematic top view of a light guide plate according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2F is a schematic top view of a light guide plate according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2G is a schematic top view of a light guide plate according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2H is a schematic top view of a light guide plate according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2I is a schematic top view of a light guide plate according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a schematic top view of a backlight module which includes alight guide plate according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 3B-3F are partially enlarged schematic views of Z1-Z5 of FIG. 3A.

FIGS. 3G-3I are partially enlarged schematic views of a light guideplate according to another embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the light guideplate along line A-A of FIG. 3A, with the mask layer and the reflectionlayer.

FIGS. 4B-4E are partially enlarged cross-sectional views of backlightmodules according to other embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Examples of exemplary embodiments are described in the accompanydrawings with reference to the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention in detail. As long as possible, a same element numeral is usedto represent a same or similar part in the drawings and descriptions.

FIG. 1A is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of an input apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is aschematic three-dimensional exploded view of the input apparatus in FIG.1A. FIG. 2A is a schematic top view of a light guide plate of the inputapparatus in FIG. 1A. First referring to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, and FIG. 2Atogether. In this embodiment, an input apparatus 10 includes a keycaplayer 100, a light guide plate 200 a, a light source 300, and a circuitboard 400. The light guide plate 200 a is disposed below the keycaplayer 100, and the light guide plate 200 a includes a light guide body210, at least one first opening structure 212 (where only one firstopening structure 212 is schematically drawn in FIG. 2A), and at leastone second opening structure 214 (where only one second openingstructure 214 is schematically drawn in FIG. 2A). The first openingstructure 212 passes through the light guide body 210 and includes atleast one first closed end 212 a (where only one first closed end 212 ais schematically drawn in FIG. 2A). The second opening structure 214passes through the light guide body 210 and includes at least one secondclosed end 214 a (where only one second closed end 214 a isschematically drawn in FIG. 2A). The first opening structure 212 and thesecond opening structure 214 are separated from each other to divide thelight guide body 210 into at least two light guide regions S1 and S2(where only two light guide regions are schematically drawn in FIG. 2A).The first closed end 212 a and the second closed end 214 a face eachother and are suitable for refracting and reflecting light. The firstclosed end 212 a partially overlaps the second closed end 214 a on atleast one first axis X1, the first closed end 212 a and the secondclosed end 214 a are disposed parallel to each other on at least onesecond axis X2, and the second axis X2 is perpendicular to the firstaxis X1. The light source 300 is disposed beside a side of the lightguide plate 200 a, and the circuit board 400 is disposed below the lightguide plate 200 a. The light source 300 is electrically connected to thecircuit board 400.

Further, the input apparatus 10 in this embodiment is specifically alight emitting keyboard module, and the light guide plate 200 a isspecifically a single-sheet light guide plate. The first openingstructure 212 and the second opening structure 214 are disposed todivide the light guide body 210 into the at least two light guideregions S1 and S2. As shown in FIG. 2A, a shape of the first closed end212 a of the first opening structure 212 and a shape of the secondclosed end 214 a of the second opening structure 214 are the same. Theshapes are an oblique surface, but not limited thereto. When the lightsource 300 emits light L1 and the light L2, the light L1 and the lightL2 are incident to the light guide body 210, and is reflected orrefracted by the first closed end 212 a and the second closed end 214 a,so that the light guide regions S1 and S2 are displayed in differentcolors. When incident angles of the light L1 and the light L2 are lessthan a critical angle, the light L1 and the light L2 may bealternatively totally reflected by the first closed end 212 a and thesecond closed end 214 a. Preferably, the first closed end 212 apartially overlaps the second closed end 214 a on the first axis X1.This can effectively reflect or totally reflect the light L1 to preventthe light L1 from entering the light guide region S2, and effectivelyreflect or totally reflect the light L2 to prevent the light L2 fromentering the light guide region S1. Therefore, a light mixing phenomenondoes not occur in the two neighboring light guide regions S1 and S2. Asshown in FIG. 2A, the first closed end 212 a and the second closed end214 a are disposed along the second axis X2. That is, the first closedend 212 a and the second closed end 214 a are parallel to each other onthe second axis X2.

In addition, referring to FIG. 1B again, the input apparatus 10 in thisembodiment further includes a mask layer 500, disposed between thekeycap layer 100 and the light guide plate 200 a. Light emitted by thelight source 300 is transmitted in the light guide plate 200 a, and isemitted from an opening 510 of the mask layer 500 to illuminate thekeycap layer 100. In addition, the input apparatus 10 in this embodimentfurther includes a reflection layer 600, disposed below the light guideplate 200 a and located between the light guide plate 200 a and thecircuit board 400, to reflect the light emitted by the light source 300.That is, the reflection layer 600 may reflect the light back to thelight guide plate 200 a, to improve utilization of the light source 300.A backlight module 20 of the input apparatus 10 includes light source300, the light guide plate 200 a, the reflection layer 600 and the masklayer 500. The light guide plate 200 a is disposed between thereflection layer 600 and the mask layer 500. Herein, the light source300 includes a plurality of light emitting diodes 310, 320, 330, and340, and the light emitting diodes 310, 320, 330, and 340 respectivelycorrespond to the light guide regions S1 and S2, and the light emittingdiodes 310, 320, 330, and 340 are disposed beside of the side of thelight guide 200 a. The light emitting diodes 310, 320, 330, and 340 maybe, for example, red light emitting diodes, blue light emitting diodes,or green light emitting diodes, but are not limited thereto. In otherwords, the light emitting diodes 310 and 320 in a same color correspondto the light guide region S1, and the light emitting diodes 330 and 340in a same color correspond to the light guide region S2. By using designof the first closed end 212 a of the first opening structure 212 and thesecond closed end 214 a of the second opening structure 214, an effectthat regions are divided into and light is not mixed can be achieved. Inthis embodiment, the side of the light guide plate 200 a comprises aplurality of recesses 201 and two protrusions 202, and the lightemitting diodes 320 are disposed beside the protrusions 202 of the sideof the light guide plate 200 a, and the light emitting diodes 310, 330,and 340 are disposed beside the recesses 201 of the side of the lightguide plate 200 a.

In particular, referring to FIG. 1B and FIG. 2A again, the first openingstructure 212 includes a circular portion 213 and an extending portion215 extending from the circular portion 213. A post (not shown infigures) is able to be disposed through the circular portion 213, andthe post can be a screw boss, a hot melting pillar and so on, but thepresent invention is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, no part ofthe mask layer 500 and no part of the reflection layer 600 extend intothe extending portion 215 of the first opening structure 212. In otherwords, there is no opaque material disposed within the first closed end212 a of the first opening structure 212. In other embodiment not shown,the second opening structure may include a circular potion and anextending portion, and no part of the mask layer and no part of thereflection layer extend into the extending portion of the second openingstructure, which shall fall within the protection scope of the presentinvention.

In short, in design of the light guide plate 200 a in this embodiment,the first opening structure 212 and the second opening structure 214 areseparated from each other to divide the light guide body 210 into thelight guide regions S1 and S2. That is, the light guide plate 200 a inthis embodiment is specifically a single-sheet light guide plate, andachieves, by disposing of the first opening structure 212 and the secondopening structure 214, an effect that regions are divided into. Inaddition, the first opening structure 212 and the second openingstructure 214 in this embodiment respectively include the first closedend 212 a and the second closed end 214 a that can refract and reflectlight. Therefore, the input apparatus 10 using the light guide plate 200a in this embodiment can reflect or totally reflect light when the lightsource 300 is incident to the first closed end 212 a and the secondclosed end 214 a, so that the neighboring light guide regions S1 and S2can be displayed in different colors, and a light mixing phenomenon isprevented.

It should be noted herein that element numerals and partial content ofthe foregoing embodiment are still used in the following embodiments.Same numerals are used to represent same or similar elements, anddescriptions of same technical content are omitted. For descriptions ofthe omitted part, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiment.Details are not described in the following embodiments again.

FIG. 2B is a schematic top view of a light guide plate according to anembodiment of the present invention. Referring to both FIG. 2A and FIG.2B, a light guide plate 200 b in this embodiment is similar to the lightguide plate 200 a in FIG. 2A. A main difference between the light guideplate 200 b and the light guide plate 200 a lies in that the light guideplate 200 b in this embodiment further includes at least one thirdopening structure 216 (where only one third opening structure 216 isschematically drawn in FIG. 2B), passing through the light guide body210 and including at least one third closed end 216 a (where only onethird closed end 216 a is schematically drawn in FIG. 2B). A secondopening structure 214′ further includes at least one fourth closed end214 b (where only one fourth closed end 214 b is schematically drawn inFIG. 2B). The fourth closed end 214 b is disposed parallel to the thirdclosed end 216 a on a second axis X2, the third closed end 216 apartially overlaps the fourth closed end 214 b on at least one thirdaxis X3 (where only one third axis X3 is schematically drawn in FIG.2B), and a first axis X1 is parallel to the third axis X3. The secondclosed end 214 a and the fourth closed end 214 b are respectivelylocated at two ends of the second opening structure 214, and the firstclosed end 212 a, the second closed end 214 a, the third closed end 216a, and the fourth closed end 214 b are disposed along the second axisX2. Herein, a shape of the third closed end 216 a of the third openingstructure 216 and a shape of the fourth closed end 214 b of the secondopening structure 214′ are the same. The shapes are a triangle, but notlimited thereto. When the light source 300 (referring to FIG. 1B) emitsthe light L1 and the light L2, the light L1 and the light L2 areincident to the light guide body 210, and is reflected and/or totallyreflected by the first closed end 212 a, the second closed end 214 a,the third closed end 216 a, and the fourth closed end 214 b, so thatlight is not mixed in the light guide regions S1 and S2, and the lightguide regions S1 and S2 may be displayed in different colors.

FIG. 2C is a schematic top view of a light guide plate according toanother embodiment of the present invention. Referring to both FIG. 2Band FIG. 2C, a light guide plate 200 c in this embodiment is similar tothe light guide plate 200 b in FIG. 2B. A main difference between thelight guide plate 200 c and the light guide plate 200 b lies in that afirst closed end 222 a of a first opening structure 222 in thisembodiment is disposed parallel to a second closed end 224 a of a secondopening structure 224 along a second axis X2, a third closed end 226 aof a third opening structure 226 is disposed parallel to a fourth closedend 224 b of the second opening structure 224 along a fourth axis X4,and the fourth axis X4 is parallel to the second axis X2. Herein, ashape of the first closed end 222 a of the first opening structure 222and a shape of the second closed end 224 a of the second openingstructure 224 are the same. The shapes are an oblique surface, but notlimited thereto. A shape of the third closed end 226 a of the thirdopening structure 226 and a shape of the fourth closed end 224 b of thesecond opening structure 224 are the same. The shapes are an obliquesurface, but not limited thereto.

FIG. 2D is a schematic top view of a light guide plate according toanother embodiment of the present invention. Referring to both FIG. 2Cand FIG. 2D, a light guide plate 200 d in this embodiment is similar tothe light guide plate 200 c in FIG. 2C. A main difference between thelight guide plate 200 d and the light guide plate 200 c lies in that inthis embodiment, a shape of a first closed end 232 a of a first openingstructure 232 and a shape of a second closed end 234 a of a secondopening structure 234 are the same. The shapes are an oblique surface,but not limited thereto. A shape of a third closed end 236 a of a thirdopening structure 236 and a shape of a fourth closed end 234 b of thesecond opening structure 234 are the same. The shapes are an L-shape,but not limited thereto.

FIG. 2E is a schematic top view of a light guide plate according toanother embodiment of the present invention. Referring to both FIG. 2Cand FIG. 2E, a light guide plate 200 e in this embodiment is similar tothe light guide plate 200 c in FIG. 2C. A main difference between thelight guide plate 200 e and the light guide plate 200 c lies in that thelight guide plate 200 e in this embodiment further includes at least onefourth opening structure 248 (where only one fourth opening structure248 is schematically drawn in FIG. 2E), passing through the light guidebody 210 and including at least one fifth closed end 248 a (where onlyone fifth closed end 248 a is schematically drawn in FIG. 2E). A thirdopening structure 246 further includes at least one sixth closed end 246b (where only one sixth closed end 246 b is schematically drawn in FIG.2E). The sixth closed end 246 b is disposed parallel to the fifth closedend 248 a on a second axis X2, the fifth closed end 248 a partiallyoverlaps the sixth closed end 246 b on at least one axis (that is, afifth axis X5) (where only one fifth axis X5 is schematically drawn inFIG. 2E), and the fifth axis X5 is parallel to a third axis X3. A thirdclosed end 246 a and the sixth closed end 246 b are respectively locatedat two ends of the third opening structure 246. Herein, a shape of afirst closed end 242 a of a first opening structure 242 and a shape of asecond closed end 244 a of a second opening structure 244 are the same.The shapes are an oblique surface, but not limited thereto. A shape ofthe third closed end 246 a of the third opening structure 246 and ashape of a fourth closed end 244 b of the second opening structure 244are the same. The shapes are an oblique surface, but not limitedthereto. A shape of the fifth closed end 248 a of the fourth openingstructure 248 and a shape of the sixth closed end 246 b of the thirdopening structure 246 are the same. The shapes are an L-shape, but notlimited thereto.

FIG. 2F is a schematic top view of a light guide plate according toanother embodiment of the present invention. Referring to both FIG. 2Cand FIG. 2F, a light guide plate 200 f in this embodiment is similar tothe light guide plate 200 c in FIG. 2C. A main difference between thelight guide plate 200 f and the light guide plate 200 c lies in that thelight guide plate 200 f in this embodiment further includes at least onefourth opening structure 258 (where only one fourth opening structure258 is schematically drawn in FIG. 2F), passing through the light guidebody 210 and including at least one fifth closed end 258 a (where onlyone fifth closed end 258 a is schematically drawn in FIG. 2F). A thirdopening structure 256 further includes at least one sixth closed end 256b (where only one sixth closed end 256 b is schematically drawn in FIG.2F). The sixth closed end 256 b is parallel to the fifth closed end 258a on at least one sixth axis X6 (where only one sixth axis X6 isschematically drawn in FIG. 2F). The fifth closed end 258 a partiallyoverlaps the sixth closed end 256 b on a fifth axis X5, and the fifthaxis X5 is parallel to a third axis X3. A third closed end 256 a and thesixth closed end 256 b are respectively located at two ends of the thirdopening structure 256. The sixth axis X6 is parallel to a fourth axisX4, and the sixth axis X6 is located between a second axis X2 and thefourth axis X4. Herein, a shape of a first closed end 252 a of a firstopening structure 252 and a shape of a second closed end 254 a of asecond opening structure 254 are the same. The shapes are an obliquesurface, but not limited thereto. A shape of the third closed end 256 aof the third opening structure 256 and a shape of a fourth closed end254 b of the second opening structure 254 are the same. The shapes arean oblique surface, but not limited thereto. A shape of the fifth closedend 258 a of the fourth opening structure 258 and a shape of the sixthclosed end 256 b of the third opening structure 256 are the same. Theshapes are an oblique surface, but not limited thereto.

FIG. 2G is a schematic top view of a light guide plate according toanother embodiment of the present invention. Referring to both FIG. 2Fand FIG. 2G, a light guide plate 200 g in this embodiment is similar tothe light guide plate 200 f in FIG. 2F. A main difference between thelight guide plate 200 g and the light guide plate 200 f lies in that afourth axis X4 is located between a second axis X2 and a sixth axis X6.To be more specific, a third closed end 266 a and a fourth closed end264 b in this embodiment are along the fourth axis X4, a first closedend 262 a and a second closed end 264 a are along the second axis X2, afifth closed end 268 a and a sixth closed end 266 b are along the sixthaxis X6, and the fourth axis X4 is located between the second axis X2and the sixth axis X6. Herein, a shape of the first closed end 262 a ofa first opening structure 262 and a shape of the second closed end 264 aof a second opening structure 264 are an oblique surface, but notlimited thereto. A shape of the third closed end 266 a of a thirdopening structure 266 and a shape of the fourth closed end 264 b of asecond opening structure 264 are an oblique surface, but not limitedthereto. A shape of the fifth closed end 268 a of a fourth openingstructure 268 and a shape of the sixth closed end 266 b of the thirdopening structure 266 are an oblique surface, but not limited thereto.In this embodiment, the side of the light guide plate 200 g comprises aprotrusion 202, and the light emitting diode 320 is disposed beside theprotrusion 202 of the side of the light guide plate 200 g.

FIG. 2H is a schematic top view of a light guide plate according toanother embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2H, inthis embodiment, a light guide plate 200 h includes a light guide body210, and first opening structures 252, 262, and 272, second openingstructures 254, 264, and 274, third opening structure 256, 266, and 276,and fourth opening structures 258 and 268 that divide the light guidebody 210 into light guide regions S1, S2, S3, and S4. That is, for aninput apparatus using the light guide plate 200 h in this embodiment, ifthe light emitting diodes 310, 320, 330, and 340 (referring to FIG. 1B)of the light source 300 (referring to FIG. 1B) may respectively emitdifferent light of different colors, the light guide regions S1, S2, S3,and S4 of the light guide plate 200 h may be displayed in four differentcolors, and a light mixing phenomenon is prevented.

Herein, for specific structures of the first opening structures 252 and262, the second opening structures 254 and 264, the third openingstructures 256 and 266, and the fourth opening structures 258 and 268,reference may be made to descriptions of FIG. 2F and FIG. 2G. Detailsare not described herein again. A first closed end 272 a, a secondclosed end 274 a, a third closed end 276 a, and a fourth closed end 274b are disposed parallel to each other along a second axis X2. The firstclosed end 272 a partially overlaps the second closed end 274 a on afirst axis X1, and the third closed end 276 a partially overlaps thefourth closed end 274 b on a third axis X3. Herein, a shape of the firstclosed end 272 a of the first opening structure 272 and a shape of thesecond closed end 274 a of the second opening structure 274 are thesame. The shapes are an oblique surface, but not limited thereto. Ashape of the third closed end 276 a of the third opening structure 276and a shape of the fourth closed end 274 b of the second openingstructure 274 are the same. The shapes are an L-shape, but not limitedthereto.

FIG. 2I is a schematic top view of a light guide plate according toanother embodiment of the present invention. Referring to both FIG. 2Hand FIG. 2I, a light guide plate 200 i in this embodiment is similar tothe light guide plate 200 h in FIG. 2H. A main difference between thelight guide plate 200 i and the light guide plate 200 h lies in that thestructures of the second opening structures 254′, 264′, the thirdopening structures 266′, 276′ and the fourth opening structures 258′,268′ of the present embodiment are different from the structures of thesecond opening structures 254, 264, the third opening structures 266,276 and the fourth opening structures 258, 268.

In detail, the second opening structures 254′, 264′ further includereinforcing closed end 254 c, 264 c, respectively, wherein thereinforcing closed end 254 c extends parallel to the second axis X2 andis located at a side of a boundary between the first closed end 252 aand the second closed end 254 a, and the reinforcing closed end 264 cextends parallel to the second axis X2 and is located at a side of aboundary between the first closed end 262 a and the second closed end264 a. The third opening structure 266′ further includes a reinforcingclosed end 266 c extends parallel to the second axis X2 and is locatedat a side of a boundary between the third closed end 266 a and thefourth closed end 264 b. The reinforcing closed ends 254 c, 264 c shieldthe boundary between the first closed ends 252 a, 262 a and the secondclosed ends 254 a, 264 a to enhance the local area to refract light toavoid dark areas. The reinforcing closed end 266 c shields the boundarybetween the third closed end 266 a and the fourth closed end 264 b toenhance the local area to refract light to avoid dark areas. The thirdopening structure 276′ and the fourth opening structures 258′, 268′ donot extend to the edge of the light guide body 210, so that one end ofthe third opening structure 276′ relative to the third closed end 276 aand one end of the fourth opening structures 258′, 268′ relative to thefifth closed end 258 a, 268 a are closed ends rather than open ends.

In addition, the light guide plates 200 i of the embodiment furtherincludes at least one reinforcing opening structure (where fivereinforcing opening structures 281, 282, 283, 284, 285 are schematicallydrawn in FIG. 2I). The reinforcing opening structures 281, 282 arerespectively disposed on opposite sides of the boundary between thethird closed end 256 a and the fourth closed end 254 b to enhance thelocal area to refract light to avoid dark areas. The reinforcing openingstructure 283 is disposed at a side of the boundary between the fifthclosed end 258 a and the sixed closed end 256 b to enhance the localarea to refract light to avoid dark areas. The reinforcing openingstructure 284 is disposed at a side of the boundary between the fifthclosed end 268 a and the sixed closed end 266 b to enhance the localarea to refract light to avoid dark areas. The reinforcing openingstructure 285 is disposed at a side of the boundary between the firstclosed end 272 a and the second closed end 274 a to enhance the localarea to refract light to avoid dark areas.

Moreover, referring to the partial enlarged portion of FIG. 2I, in anembodiment, the third closed end 266 a and the reinforcing closed end266 c partially overlaps the fourth closed end 264 b along a referenceline L which is parallel to the axis X1 so as to enhance the local areato refract light and avoid the mixing of different colors of lightbetween the neighboring regions. As shown in the partial enlarged view,the reinforcing closed end 266 c could be longer than the third closed266 a in their respective extending directions, such that thereinforcing closed end 266 c has a greater portion overlapping thefourth closed end 264 b which extends beyond the reference line L, whilea pointed end of the third closed end 266 a may be aligned with thereference line L. However, as long as a portion (e.g., a sharp or curvedcorner facing towards the fourth closed end 264 b) of the third closedend 266 a and the fourth closed end 264 b are located on the same linethat extends in a direction parallel to the first axis X1 (for example,the line L shown in FIG. 2I), the third closed end 266 a can beconsidered as partially overlapping the fourth closed end 264 b alongthe first axis.

It is noted that the third closed end 266 a and the reinforcing closedend 266 c which might be two branches of the opening structure 266′ areasymmetrically arranged on the respective sides of the fourth closed end264 b, and the shape of the third closed 266 a could be different fromthe shape of the reinforcing closed end 266 c. In an embodiment, as longas at least one of the third closed 266 a and the reinforcing closed end266 c partially overlaps the fourth closed end 264 b along the line L,the light mixing phenomenon can be reduced between the neighboring lightguide regions.

It should be noted that the light guide plates 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, 200d, 200 e, 200 f, 200 g, 200 h, and 200 i in the embodiments do not limita quantity (but two or more is at least needed) and structural forms ofopening structures, which shall fall within the protection scope of thepresent invention, provided that closed ends that face each other of twoopposite opening structures are parallel to each other, overlap on anaxis, and are disposed along another axis perpendicular to the axis. Ashape of the closed end may be an oblique surface, a triangle, anL-shape, or another suitable shape. Any shape suitable for reflecting,refracting, and/or totally reflecting light shall fall within theprotection scope of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a schematic top view of a light guide plate according toanother embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3A, thelight guide plate 700 at least includes a light guide body 705, firstopening structures 710, 710 a-740 d, 750 and 752 and second openingstructures 720, 720 c, 720 d, 760 and 762. The light guide body 705includes light guide regions S1, S2, S3, and S4.

The light guide plate 700 in this embodiment is specifically asingle-sheet of the light guide plate divided, by disposing of the firstopening structures 710, 710 a-740 d, 750, 752 and the second openingstructures 720, 720 c, 720 d, 760, 762, into four regions that arepartially connected with one another. The backlight module 20 of theinput apparatus 10 (as illustrated in FIG. 1B) using the light guideplate 700 of this embodiment can provide the effect of the reflection ortotally reflection of light when the light emitted from the light sourceis incident to the first opening structures 710, 710 a-740 d, 750 and752 and the second opening structures 720, 720 c, 720 d, 760 and 762, sothat the neighboring light guide regions S1, S2, S3, and S4 can bedisplayed in different colors, and a light mixing phenomenon between theadjacent light guide regions is alleviated. In an embodiment, the firstopening structures 710, 710 a-740 d, 750 and 752 and the second openingstructures 720, 720 c, 720 d, 760 and 762 may be arranged correspondingto positions between two adjacent keycaps of the keycap layer 100 shownin FIG. 1B. At least one of the first opening structures 710, 710 a-740d, 750 and 752 and the second opening structures 720, 720 c, 720 d, 760and 762 is, for example, located underneath a space defined by twoadjacent keycaps of the keycap layer 100.

Specifically, the first opening structures 710, 710 a, and 710 b and thesecond opening structures 720 are disposed between the light guideregions S1 and S2. In an embodiment, each of the first openingstructures 710, 710 a, and 710 b is spaced apart from the correspondingsecond opening structure 720 to divide a part of the light guide body705 into the light guide regions S1 and S2, while at least a portion ofthe light guide body 705 remains between the light guide regions S1 andS2.

In addition, the first opening structures 750, 710 b, and 710 d and thesecond opening structures 760, 720, and 720 d are disposed between thelight guide regions S2 and S3. In an embodiment, the first openingstructures 750, 710 b, and 710 d are spaced apart from the correspondingsecond opening structures 760, 720, and 720 d to divide a part of thelight guide body 705 into the light guide regions S2 and S3 with atleast a portion of the light guide body 705 remains therebetween.

Moreover, the first opening structures 752 and 710 c and the secondopening structures 762 and 720 c are disposed between the light guideregions S3 and S4. In an embodiment, the first opening structures 752and 710 c are spaced apart from the corresponding second openingstructures 762 and 720 c to divide a part of the light guide body 705into the light guide regions S3 and S4 with at least a portion of thelight guide body 705 remains therebetween.

It is noted that in FIG. 3A, each of the first opening structures 750and 752 is similar to the first opening structure 212 shown in FIG. 2A,and each of the second opening structures 760 and 762 is similar to thesecond opening structure 214 shown in FIG. 2A, which are not repeatedlydescribed hereinafter. The detail descriptions of the first openingstructures 710, and 710 a-740 d and the second opening structures 720,720 c, and 720 d are explained below.

FIGS. 3B-3F are partially enlarged schematic views of zones Z1-Z5 ofFIG. 3A. Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B together, the first openingstructure 710 passes through the light guide body 705 (FIG. 3A) andincludes a first closed end 714 and an extending portion 712 connectedto the first closed end 714. In the embodiment, the first closed end 714has two first branches 716, and a contour of the first closed end 714is, for example, a concaved V shape.

The second opening structure 720 passes through the light guide body 705and includes a second closed end 724 and an extending portion 722connected to the second closed end 724. A width of the second closed end724 along a first axis X1 (FIG. 3B) is different from a width of theextending portion 712 along the first axis X1. In an embodiment, acontour of the second closed end 724 is a convex V shape that maycorrespond to the contour of the first closed end 714, such that thewidth of the second closed end 724 along the first axis X1 is less thatthe width of the extending portion 712 along the first axis X1. Inaddition, the contour of the first closed end 714 (concaved V shape) is,for example, conformal to the contour of the second closed end 724(convex V shape), but it is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, thewidth of the first closed end 714 in a direction parallel to the axis X1could be substantially equal to that of the second closed end 724.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the first closed end 714 and the second closed end724 are disposed along a second axis X2. The first closed end 714partially overlaps the second closed end 724 along the first axis X1,and the two first branches 716 of the first closed end 714 are locatedon the respective sides (e.g., the left side and the right side) of thesecond closed end 724 along the second axis X2. In an embodiment, thefirst axis X1 is substantially perpendicular to the second axis X2. Thefirst closed end 714 and the second closed end 724 face each other andare suitable for refracting and reflecting light, such that light can bereflected, by the first closed end 714 and/or the second closed end 724,back to the originated light guide region which the reflected light isemitted from without light leakage to the adjacent light guide region.

Referring to FIG. 3C, the main difference between FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C isthe configuration of the two first branches of the first closed end. InFIG. 3B, a distance between the two first branches 716 of the firstclosed end 714 along the first axis X1 is the same as the width of theextending portion 712 along the first axis X1; in FIG. 3C, a distancebetween the two first branches 716 a of the first closed end 714 a alongthe first axis X1 is greater than the width of the extending portion 712along the first axis X1. In addition, the two first branches 716 a ofthe first closed end 714 a overlap at least half of the second closedend 724 along the second axis X2. In an embodiment, the width of thefirst closed end 714 a in the direction parallel to the axis X1 could begreater than that of the second closed end 724, and the first branch 716a might extend further closer to the extending portion 722, therebypreventing the light from traveling through the neighboring light guideregions.

Referring to FIG. 3D, the main difference between FIG. 3C and FIG. 3D isthat the shape of the first branch 716 a of the first closed end 714 ais tapered toward its curved or sharp end in FIG. 3C, while the shape ofthe first branch 716 b of the first closed end 714 b has the constantwidth along its extending direction toward the rounded end in FIG. 3D.

Referring to FIG. 3E, the main difference between FIG. 3D and FIG. 3E isthat in FIG. 3D, the contour of the first closed end 714 b is a concavedV shape, and the contour of the second closed end 724 is a convex Vshape; in FIG. 3E, the contour of the first closed end 714 c is aconcaved U shape, and the contour of the second closed end 724 c is aconvex U shape. In addition, the two first branches 716 c of the firstclosed end 714 c partially overlap the extending portion 722 along thefirst axis X1. That is, the two first branches 716 c of the first closedend 714 c projecting toward the extending portion 722 are located on thetwo sides (e.g., the left side and the right side) of the extendingportion 722, so that the second closed end 724 c and a part of theextending portion 722 are arranged between the first branches 716 c.Moreover, the first branch 716 c of the first closed end 714 c may havean enlarged rounded shape at its end, such as a circular shape.

Referring to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3F together, in the embodiment, the lightguide plate 705 (FIG. 3A) further includes a third opening structure730. The third opening structure 730 passes through the light guide body705 and includes a third closed end 734 and an extending portion 732connected to the third closed end 734. The second opening structure 720d is located between the first opening structure 710 d and the thirdopening structure 730. The second opening structure 720 d has two secondclosed ends 724 d opposite to each other, and the two second closed ends724 d face towards the first closed end 714 d and the third closed end734, respectively. The contours of the closed ends 714 d and 724 d are,for example, U-shaped. In an embodiment, the first branches 716 doverlapping one of the second closed ends 724 d along the first axis X1may extend further toward the third closed end 734.

The third closed end 734 partially overlaps the other of the secondclosed ends 724 along a third axis X3 parallel to the first axis X1. Inan embodiment, the third closed end 734 has two second branches 736projecting along the second axis X2 and being located on the two sidesof the second closed end 724 d.

FIGS. 3G-3I are partially enlarged schematic views of a light guideplate according to other embodiments of the present invention. Referringto FIG. 3G, the main difference between FIG. 3B and FIG. 3G is thecontours of the first closed end and the second closed end. In FIG. 3B,the first closed end 714 has a concave V shape, and the second closedend 724 has a convex V shape. In FIG. 3G, the first closed end 714 e hasa concave U shape, and the second closed end 724 e has a narrow stripshape. The second closed end 724 e is partially surrounded by the firstclosed end 714 e, and the second closed end 724 e could have an outlinecorresponding to the arrangement of the first closed end 714 e.Moreover, the two first branches 716 e of the first closed end 714 e andthe second closed end 724 e have rounded shapes.

Referring to FIG. 3H, a contour of the first closed end 714 f is notconformal to a contour of the second closed end 724. In an embodiment,the contour of the first closed end 714 f is, for example, concavedU-shaped, and that of the second closed end 724 is convex V-shaped. Inaddition, the two first branches 716 f of the first closed end 714 fhave rounded shapes, and the width of the first closed end 714 f couldbe wider than that of the second closed end 724.

Referring to FIG. 3I, the first closed end 714 g and the second closedend 724 g are arranged along the second axis X2, and the two branches716 g of the first closed end 714 g are located on two sides of thesecond closed end 724 g and a part of the extending portion 722. Inaddition, the two branches 716 g of the first closed end 714 grespectively have enlarged ends, e.g., circular-shaped ends, and thesecond closed end 724 g may have an enlarged circular shape. In anembodiment, a width of the second closed end 724 g along the first axisX1 is greater than a width of the extending portion 722 along the firstaxis X1.

FIG. 4A is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the light guideplate along line A-A of FIG. 3A, with the mask layer and the reflectionlayer. It is noted that the extending portion 712 of the first openingstructure 710 in the light guide plate 700 is used as an example forschematic illustration, the same or similar arrangement can be appliedto other extending portions or opening structures in other embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 3A and FIG. 4A, the light guide body 705 is disposedbetween the mask layer 500 and the reflection layer 600, such that themask layer 500 and the reflection layer 600 are respectively locatedabove and below the first opening structure 710. In an embodiment, alight absorption member 740 is disposed in the first opening structure710. The light absorption member 740 could be arranged on the reflectionlayer 600 at a position corresponding to the extending portion 712. Thelight absorption member 740 is, for example but not limited to, an inklayer or an adhesive layer. The light absorption member 740 is, forexample, able to absorb or converge light transmitted to the extendingportion 712, such that the possibility that light travels between theadjacent light guide regions can be further reduced. Therefore, lightwith different colors are not mixed in the neighboring light guideregions. Certainly, the light absorbing member 740 might be arranged onthe mask layer 500 at a position corresponding to the extending portion712 in another embodiment. Because of the arrangement of the openingstructures with the overlapping closed ends as elaborated in the aboveembodiments, the mixing of different colors of light between theneighboring light guide regions could be alleviated without any opaquematerial disposed within the closed end. Thus, the mask layer 500 maynot be joined with the reflection layer 600 even if the adhesive layer(the light absorption member 740) is disposed in the first openingstructure 710.

FIGS. 4B-4E are partially enlarged cross-sectional views of backlightmodules according to other embodiments of the present invention.Referring to FIG. 4B, in an embodiment, a part of the mask layer 500 acould extend into the extending portion 712, such that light transmittedto the extending portion 712 can be partially absorbed or blocked by theextended part of the mask layer 500 a to reduce the possibility of thelight mixing or leakage. The extended part of the mask layer 500 a canbe shaped by punching or pressing a flat masking layer, but it is notlimited thereto.

In an embodiment, the light absorption member 740 is disposed on thereflection layer 600 and faces the extended part of the mask layer 500a. In another embodiment, the light absorption member 740 can bedisposed on the extended part of the mask layer 500, or on both of themask layer 500 a and the reflection layer 600 corresponding to theextending portion 712.

Referring to FIG. 4C, in an embodiment, a part of the reflection layer600 b extends into the extending portion 712, such that lighttransmitted to the extending portion 712 can be reflected by the part ofthe reflection layer 600 b to reduce the possibility of the lightmixing. Likewise, the absorption member 740 could be further disposed onat least one of the mask layer 500 and the reflection layer 600 bcorresponding to the extending portion 712. It is noted that a part ofthe reflection layer 600 b would not extend into the first openingstructure 710 with a narrow gap. In an embodiment, the mask layer 500 orthe reflection layer 600 b having a part extending into the extendingportion 712 may not extend into the first branch 716 (as illustrated inFIG. 3B), as the pointed end of the first branch 716 could not provide asufficient space for accommodating the extended part of the mask layer500 or the reflection layer 600 b. In other words, there is no opaquematerial disposed within the pointed end of the first branch 716. Inanother embodiment, the mask layer 500 or the reflection layer 600 bcould further extend into the first branch with an enlarged end, such asthe first closed ends 714 c and 714 g illustrated in FIGS. 3E and 3I.

Referring to FIG. 4D, a part of the mask layer 500 c extends into theextending portion 712, and a part of the reflection layer 600 c extendsinto the extending portion 712 as well. In an embodiment, the extendedparts of the mask layer 500 c and the reflection layer 600 c arestaggered in the extending portion 712. In addition, the lightabsorption members 740 could be disposed in the extending portion 712corresponding to the extended part of the mask layer 500 c and theextended part of the reflection layer 600 c, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 4E, in the embodiment, a part of the mask layer 500 dand a part of the reflection layer 600 d extend into the extendingportion 712, and the part of the mask layer 500 d extending into theextending portion 712 is aligned with the part of the reflection layer600 d extending into the extending portion 712. In addition, a lightabsorption member 740 is disposed in the extending portion 712 andbetween the extended parts of the mask layer 500 d and the reflectionlayer 600 d. The light absorption member 740 can be an adhesive layer soas to adhere the mask layer 500 d and the reflection layer 600 d forfurther avoiding the light leakage.

In conclusion, in design of a light guide plate in the presentinvention, a first opening structure and a second opening structure areseparated from each other to divide a light guide body into at least twolight guide regions. That is, the light guide plate in the presentinvention is a single-sheet light guide plate and achieves, by disposingof opening structures, an effect that regions are divided into. Inaddition, the opening structures in the present invention include closedends that can refract and reflect light. Therefore, the input apparatususing the light guide plate in the present invention can reflect ortotally reflect light when a light source is incident to the closed endsof the opening structures, so that light is not mixed in neighboringlight guide regions, and the neighboring light guide regions can bedisplayed in different colors.

Finally, it should be noted that the foregoing embodiments are merelyintended to describe the technical solutions of the present invention,but not to limit the present invention. Although the present inventionis described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments,persons of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they maystill make modifications to the technical solutions described in theforegoing embodiments or make equivalent replacements to some or alltechnical features thereof, without departing from the scope of thetechnical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An input apparatus, comprising: a reflectionlayer; a light guide plate, being disposed on the reflection layer andcomprising a first light guide region and a second light guide regionconnected with each other by a junction, wherein a first area of thefirst light guide region is different from a second area of the secondlight guide region; a first light source corresponding to the firstlight guide region; a second light source corresponding to the secondlight guide region, wherein the light guide plate has a first openingstructure disposed between the first light source and the second lightsource; and a light absorption member disposed at a positioncorresponding to the first opening structure.
 2. The input apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the light absorption member is an inklayer or an adhesive layer arranged on the reflection layer.
 3. Theinput apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light guide plate hasa second opening structure corresponding to the junction, the secondopening structure has a second closed end faces a first closed end ofthe first opening structure.
 4. The input apparatus according to claim 3wherein the first opening structure and the second opening structurehave respective contours.
 5. The input apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the first closed end and the second closed end are disposed onopposite sides of the junction.
 6. The input apparatus according toclaim 3, wherein the first opening structure and the second openingstructure are aligned to a first axis, and the first light source andthe second light source are aligned to a second axis not parallel to thefirst axis.
 7. The input apparatus according to claim 3, wherein thefirst opening structure and the second opening are of unequal widthsalong a longitudinal axis of the light guide plate.
 8. The inputapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light guide plate comprisesa first recess and a second recess, the first light source is disposedcorresponding to the first recess, and the second light source isdisposed corresponding to the second recess.
 9. The input apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising keycaps disposed on the lightguide plate, wherein a first group of keycaps corresponding to the firstlight guide region and a second group of keycaps corresponding to thesecond light guide region are different in number.
 10. The inputapparatus according to claim 9, wherein the junction is disposedcorresponding to a position between two adjacent keycaps of the keycaps.11. The input apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a width of thefirst opening structure along a longitudinal axis of the light guideplate is less than a width of the keycap along the longitudinal axis.12. The input apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a masklayer between the light guide plate and the keycaps, wherein the masklayer comprises light-transmittable openings corresponding to thekeycaps.
 13. The input apparatus according to claim 12, wherein thelight absorption member is an ink layer or an adhesive layer arranged onthe mask layer.
 14. The input apparatus according to claim 12, wherein apart of the reflection layer or a part of the mask layer extends towardthe first opening structure, and the light absorption member is disposedon at least one of the reflection layer and the mask layer.
 15. Theinput apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first openingstructure has a circular portion corresponding to a position between twoadjacent keycaps.
 16. The input apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe first opening structure passes through a longitudinal side of thelight guide plate.
 17. The input apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe junction is not parallel to a longitudinal side of the light guideplate.